Sulfurated potash is a poorly defined mixture of potassium sulfide

Potassium sulfide

Potassium sulfide is the inorganic compound with the formula K2S. The colourless solid is rarely encountered, because it reacts readily with water, a reaction that affords potassium bisulfide and potassium hydroxide .-Structure:...

, potassium polysulfide

Polysulfide

Polysulfides are a class of chemical compounds containing chains of sulfur atoms. There are two main classes of polysulfides: anions and organic polysulfides. Anions have the general formula Sn2−. These anions are the conjugate bases of the hydrogen polysulfides H2nSn...

, potassium thiosulfate

Thiosulfate

Thiosulfate is an oxyanion of sulfur. The prefix thio indicates that thiosulfate ion is a sulfate ion with one oxygen replaced by a sulfur. Thiosulfate occurs naturally and is produced by certain biochemical processes...

, and probably potassium bisulfide

Potassium hydrosulfide

Potassium hydrosulfide is the inorganic compound with the formula KHS. This colourless salt consists of the cation K+ and the bisulfide anion [SH]−. It is the product of the half-neutralization of hydrogen sulfide with potassium hydroxide. The compound is used in the synthesis of some...

. Synonyms include hepar sulfuris, liver of sulfur, and sulfurated potassa.

Liver of sulfur is mainly used in metalworking

Metalworking

Metalworking is the process of working with metals to create individual parts, assemblies, or large scale structures. The term covers a wide range of work from large ships and bridges to precise engine parts and delicate jewelry. It therefore includes a correspondingly wide range of skills,...

 to form a patina

Patina

Patina is a tarnish that forms on the surface of bronze and similar metals ; a sheen on wooden furniture produced by age, wear, and polishing; or any such acquired change of a surface through age and exposure...

, turning copper

Copper

Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...

 alloys brown or black.

Typically liver of sulfur comes in a dry rock form which must be broken into smaller pieces and dissolved in hot water for use.

Lump form

The drawbacks to liver of sulfur in dry form are the following:

Shelf Life
Lump form liver of sulfur has a very short shelf life.

Flammability
Lump form liver of sulfur is considered a flammable solid.

Inhalation hazard
Lump form liver of sulfur can cause an inhalation hazard due to the dust created by handling it or breaking the larger chunks into smaller pieces.

Gel form

Liver of sulfur is also available in a gel form, called "Extended Life Gel or XL Gel" The product's company claims that it has no dry inhalation hazard associated with it, and it supposedly has a shelf life many times that of dry liver of sulfur.

Medical use

Liver of sulfur was once used in pharmaceutical preparations such as “white lotion.” At one time sulfurated potash was used to combat arthritis

Arthritis

Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....

. It eventually fell into disfavor for medical purposes because sulfides and polysulfides are toxic.

External links

• Liver of Sulphur Extended Life Gel Website